Meskwaki man sentenced to 25 years in fatal stabbing

A Meskwaki man convicted of murder was sentenced to federal prison today. Twenty-one-year-old Jonathan Youngbear was sentenced to 25-years in federal prison after pleading guilty in January to stabbing Severn Jefferson to death on the Meskwaki Settlement.

Youngbear admitted he was under the influence of alcohol and methamphetamine the day he stabbed Jefferson in the neck and chest. Jefferson bled to death.

There is no parole in the federal system and Youngbear will have to serve five years probation once he is released. He was also ordered to pay $3,000 to the Iowa Crime Victim’s Compensation Program.